ZESA switches off Harare town house

ZESA switched off Harare's town house and the Rowan Martin offices Thursday to force payment of outstanding bills in development that brought council business to a halt.

The switch-off affected hundreds of residents trying to pay for various services forcing mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni, to apologise on national radio. Harare owes ZESA about $70 million for electricity supplies.

The local authority is however owed $254 million by residents, the government as well as industry and commerce. Council spokesmen said a payment plan had been arranged with ZESA.

The power utility restored supplies by end of day (Thursday) after council paid about $300.000.

The city council is also struggling to pay workers on time and has resorted to cutting off water supplies to residents and companies to force payment of bills.

Acting City treasurer, Tendai Kwenda, said residents owe $105 million, the government $16 million and industry and commerce $130 million.

The satellite towns of Chitungwiza, Norton, Ruwa and Epworth owe a combined $3.4 million.